R&D Engineer 4 (Welding Engineer)

Los Alamos National Laboratory; Los Alamos (NM); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental and vision insurance

Paid childbirth and parental leave

401(k) matching plus relocation

Tuition assistance

Flexible schedules

Job summary

Los Alamos National Laboratory seeks an experienced engineer to contribute to manufacturing process development and execution for GTA and other high energy density welding methods. The role emphasizes safety, security, and rigorous engineering design across R&D initiatives.

The successful candidate will lead design, testing, verification, and validation activities, mentor junior staff, and drive proposals and collaborations to advance LANL's manufacturing capabilities.

Qualifications

• Applies state-of-the-art engineering principles to complex problems requiring in-depth data analysis.
• Leads research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation for R&D initiatives.
• Develops innovative concepts and approaches to extend engineering capabilities.
• Creates technical products and documents for management and sponsors.
• Mentors junior staff and leads peer reviews across disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Participate in manufacturing process development and execution for GTA and other high energy density welds.
• Assure safety and security compliance and maintain required training.
• Assist in research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of solutions for manufacturing initiatives.
• Develop technical approaches and make decisions to improve production yield and cycle times.
• Lead technical decisions at task level within projects and define deliverables.
• Engage in external collaborations and contribute to proposals and business development.

Skills

Advanced engineering principles

R&D leadership

Design testing analysis

Project management

Mentoring junior staff

Safety and security compliance

Communication with sponsors

Education

Master's Degree in Engineering

12 years related experience

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Tools

GTA welding equipment

Laser welding systems

Electron beam welding systems

Nondestructive analysis methods

Job description

What You Will Do

You will participate in manufacturing process development and execution for gas tungsten arc (GTA) welds, and other high energy density welding processes (laser and electron beam welding) for various materials used in component manufacturing.

Safety and security are a primary responsibility for all Laboratory employees.

The R&D Engineer 4 assures safety and security compliance, maintains required safety and security training, and makes safety and security an integral part of every task, including taking the necessary steps to stop work if continuing the job is unsafe or compromises security.

The selected candidate assists in the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of engineering and technology solutions in support of manufacturing operation initiatives.

Develops a technical approach, using judgment within defined practices and procedures, and makes technical decisions to implement solutions to complex problems, improve production cycle times, and/or maximize production yield rates.

What You Need

Minimum Job Requirements:

• Applies and interprets, on a broad basis, specialized, state-of-the-art engineering and scientific principles, techniques, methods and tools to provide solutions for an extensive and diverse range of complex and/or ambiguous problems where analysis of situations or data requires in-depth evaluation of variable factors.
• Leads the research, design, testing, analysis, verification, and validation of novel engineering and technology solutions in support of R&D initiatives.
• Develops innovative advanced concepts, theories, methods, techniques and approaches to address specialized problems. May contribute to the development of industry standards.
• Develops new technical capabilities and creates opportunities to extend R&D engineering through the expansion of existing efforts.
• Leads the development of technical products such as journal papers, reports, presentations, and concept papers,
• Influences organizational, project, and program strategies and directions.
• Leads technical decision-making at task level within a project. Makes decisions and/or recommendations that influence the achievement of key programmatic objectives.
• Uses project assignments to further organizational goals. Develops and implements project management plans, including scope, schedule, and budget, for small to moderate projects and/or major project tasks. Defines deliverables at the project or major task level.
• Actively participates in professional societies, National Nuclear Security Administration/Department of Energy Complex interactions, special assignments, and/or external collaborations. Participates in external working groups and/or assists in organizing meetings and colloquia.
• Leads peer review of the work of others within his/her own organization and participates in peer review across organizations or disciplines.
• Actively mentors and trains junior staff.
• Develops and/or contributes ideas for new proposals and business development opportunities. Leads development of technical section of small to moderate proposals. Acquires internal/external funding for self.
• Contributes to developments in industry and develops new skills consistent with state-of-the-art. May attain additional certifications, qualifications, and/or recognition to grow in field.
• Fosters a mutually respectful and inclusive work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment.

Education/Experience:

Position requires a Master's Degree in Engineering from an accredited institution and 12 years of related experience; or, an equivalent combination of education and experience directly related to the occupations. At this level a PhD. may be preferred.

DOE Order 426.2:

Requires a Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or related science, 2 years job related experience, and 1 year of nuclear experience.

Clearance:

An active DOE Q clearance is required.

Desired Qualifications:

• Advanced knowledge of an experience in engineering disciplines.
• Advanced knowledge of laser, gas tungsten arc (GTA), and/or electron beam welding methods
• Advanced knowledge of, or experience assessing the effects of beam profiles, power levels, and alignment on welding systems
• Advanced knowledge and experience with nondestructive analysis methods
• Advanced knowledge of and experience in designing, planning, and executing research and development projects
• Experience in project development, reporting, and presentation to management and sponsors

Work Location:

The work location for this position is onsite and located in Los Alamos, NM. All work locations are at the discretion of management. This position may require 24/7 coverage, which could involve working a shift/weekend schedule. Employees may be eligible for the shift differential pay when assigned by their manager. Shift/weekend assignments are at the discretion of the manager.

Position commitment:

Regular appointment employees are required to serve a period of continuous service in their current position to be eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the time required, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. The position commitment for this position is 2 years.

Notes to Applicants

• Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
• For full consideration, applicants must submit a comprehensive resume that addresses the key requirements of the position.
• Review of resumes will commence immediately.
• While the posted salary range for this position is broad, it is highly unusual for selected applicants to be hired at the top end of the range and more common for selected candidates to grow into the full salary band over time.

Where You Will Work

Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security.

• PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
• Dental and vision insurance
• Free basic life and disability insurance
• Paid childbirth and parental leave
• Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
• Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
• Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
• Onsite gyms and wellness programs
• Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)

Additional Details

Directive 206.2 -

Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.

Clearance: Q

Position will be cleared to this level. The selected applicants will be subject to a federal background investigation and must meet eligibility requirements* for access to classified matters. This position requires a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Dependent upon position, additional authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required that may or may not be available to dual citizens depending upon the circumstances.

*Eligibility requirements:

To obtain a clearance, an individual must be at least 18 years of age; U.S. citizenship is required except in very limited circumstances. See DOE Order 472.2 for additional information.

HRP:

This position is subject to the requirements of the DOE Human Reliability Program as specified in 10 Code of Federal Regulation, Part 712, §712.11. These requirements include ongoing drug and alcohol testing, as well as periodic medical and psychological evaluations.

426.2a:

This position is subject to DOE Order 426.2a, Personnel Selection, Training, and Qualification Requirements for DOE Nuclear Facilities, which establishes entry-level requirements to ensure candidates selected for specific positions can successfully perform the requirements of the job.

New-Employment Drug Test:

The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.

Regular position:

Term status Laboratory employees applying for regular-status positions are converted to regular status.

Internal Applicants:

Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.

Equal Opportunity:

Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodation, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request a disability accommodation, email [e-mail] or call [phone], opt. 3.